The writings of the New Testament remind us, in several places, of how as well as traveling and teaching, healing and preaching, Jesus set aside a time and a space for rest and rejuvenation.
We read how Jesus ‘would withdraw to deserted places for prayer,' and the frequency of these periods of rest speak to their importance both for Jesus, and for us.
As Jesus put it to his disciples, ‘Come apart to a deserted place by yourself and rest a while.' We may not always be able to literally wander out to some deserted place, but we can make a decision to purposely disconnect our minds and lives of distraction and worry while we make our retreat away from the worries of the world. Maya Angelou puts it like this; “Every person needs to take one day away. A day in which one consciously separates the past from the future. Jobs, family, employers and friends can exist one day without any one of us, and if our egos permit us to confess, they could exist eternally in our absence. Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.”
It is for those reasons, as well as wanting to provide a time of worship and learning, that the spiritual life Department has scheduled a day of retreat on Saturday, September 15, 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. in the Life Center. To help us in our reflection we will be using some of the time to look at the works of Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross, collectively known as some of the greatest christian mystics.
Materials for study and lunch are included. Space is limited, and so reservations are required. To reserve your space, please RSVP to Kimberly Bravo x18465 by September 1.*
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